Court urged to keep CBI director out of 2G scam probe

An application was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday seeking a direction to CBI director Ranjit Sinha not to interfere in the investigation into the 2G spectrum allocation scam by attempting to let off former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, Reliance company and its officials.

The interlocutory application filed by NGO CPIL through advocate Prashant Bhushan cited instances wherein Sinha “overruled” officers and opined that charge sheet should not be filed against Maran in the case relating to investment of over Rs 650 crore by Maxis in Sun TV, run by the then minister’s brother.

Brazen attempt

It also contended that the CBI director made a “more brazen  attempt to save Reliance and other influential accused” by prevailing upon officers to prepare a draft affidavit which found no illegality in the allocation of telecom licence and 2G spectrum to Swan Telecom.

The application also listed the recent transfer of DIG Santosh Rastogi out of the 2G case investigation by the premier probe agency director despite the apex court’s direction not to change the composition of the probe team.

The apex court on August 12 asked the CBI to place before it the “files and notings” on September 2 after Bhushan made oral allegations against Sinha, saying he wanted to stop trial against Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL) and three top executives of Reliance ADAG, who are accused in the 2G spectrum scam case.